Spider-Gwen: The Ghost-Spider #1 – A Lonely New World

Creative Team – Stephanie Phillips(writer). Federica Mancin(artist). Matt Milla(color artist). Ariana Maher(letterer). Mark Brooks(cover artist). Nolan Woodard(color artist). Jenny Frison, David Lopez, Ernanda Souza, Pablo Villalobos(variant cover artists)

Published By Marvel Entertainment

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Let me start by saying Spider-Gwen is one of my favorite characters of any franchise. She is strong, smart, brave, so she’s basically everything you would want in a hero. Spider-Gwen, or Gwen Stacy, is one of the many Spider-heroes that I think should have more of a spotlight put on them. Knowing all of that, I jumped straight into Spider-Gwen: The Ghost-Spider #1 and didn’t want it to end.

To set the scene

Gwen is officially in Earth-616, and is here permanently. As we all know, the original Gwen from 616 passed away, which is unfortunate but helpful for Spider-Gwen as she needs to be in a universe that doesn’t have it’s own version of her. To add salt to the wound, she isn’t allowed to tell her friends that she’s there. So Peter Parker, Miles Morales, Silk, all of the Spider-People, can’t know she’s there per the TVA’s rules.

Oh yes, it’s the TVA(Time Variance Authority) who’s helped with her placement in 616. This isn’t the only rule the TVA has in place for Gwen and her safety in this new-to-her universe. Add up all the rules together and it equals one thing; Gwen can’t be Spider-Gwen in Earth-616.

Her TVA representative, or multiverserve wrangler as she calls it, is none other than the friendly face we all know and love, Ouroboros, AKA O.B. He’s empathetic to her feelings of losing her identity but assures her this is for her own safety. It feels a little suspicious to me but only time will tell. But does Gwen have plans to adhere to the TVA’s rules? Well, as we see so far, no. But for good reason!

The Writing

10 out of 10, 5 stars, would absolutely recommend. The story is captivating, especially given the fact that it could go so many ways. Is the TVA up to something? Will Gwen’s friends find out about her? Will she end up working alongside more Spider-People? Why did she leave her universe, Earth-65? All of these questions have been living in my head rent free since I read the comic the first time. I’d say Stephanie Phillips has something special here and I can’t wait to see what she brings in the second installment.

The Art

I can’t say enough about the art. The comic book has the same vibes as a well done Spider-Man comic book but more tailored to a Spider-Gwen story. The drawings of Gwen swinging through the city all the way to the cover art and variant cover art, easily a 10 out of 10. Something I really appreciated was the contrast of colors between Gwen and the villain at the end of the comic clashing with each other, showing a huge difference in a fight of good versus evil.

Final Thoughts

I have to say, this comic book got my blood pumping. Seeing Spider-Gwen back in action did my heart good. It was such a pleasure seeing O.B. again since he was a brand new character for Loki Season 2 on Disney+. Also, I have to mention that I love the villain that was chosen for this run. There’s not a single thing I would have done differently in Spider-Gwen: The Ghost-Spider #1. If I could grade this as an 11 out of 10, I would. I’ll be anxiously waiting for the second installment to drop!

I give this a 10 out of 10

Hey, it’s Megan! If you liked my review, be sure to check out my other reviews! Let me know what you think of Spider-Gwen: The Ghost-Spider #1, or tell me what comics you’d recommend me trying out! Find me on my socials, and check out my Marvel podcast, Vigilante Vibes, by clicking here!